Windows Vista

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1. How to set up a network in Vista Pag1
2. How to set up a network in Vista Pag2
3. How to set up a network in Vista Pag3
4. How to set up a network in Vista Pag4
5. How to set up a wireless connection in Vista

If your home or small of office has more than one PC, connecting them in a network allows them to access a single internet connection. You can also easily share files and send messages between the PCs, print to printers not connected directly to your PC and play multiplayer games. The central connection point, usually a router, can also let you add network-smart devices, such as printers, digital cameras and extra hard disk space. Such devices have the advantage of being available to any PC on the network no matter which PCs are powered on.

Computers on the network can run a mix of Windows versions and file systems, such 'as NTFS, FAT32 or FAT. The type of network explained in this feature is called a peer-to-peer (or workgroup1 network and can have up to 10 PCs, although some versions of Windows are limited to five connections.

ETHERNET HARDWARE

The basic components of a network are a network adapter of some sort for each PC, a central connection point and the means to connect to each PC from the central connection point Most small networks will also need a fourth component: a modem to connect to the internet from the central connection point.

One of the simplest networks is where each PC has an internal Network interface Card (NICE, either integrated into the motherboard or a separate card that goes in a PCI expansion slot. Each NIC is connected Ha a network cable to a router;

this configuration can be called a wired network, an Ethernet network or a local area network {LAN). For a home or small office situation, a wired network is best fur desktop computers located in the same room or adjacent rooms. Compared to a wireless network, a LAN is easier to configure, is inherently more . secure, gives more reliable connections and consistent speed, and can produce a faster data transfer rate.

Some routers have an inbuilt ADSL, ADSL2 or ADSL2+ modem, and this is the most economical arrangement if you have that type of internet connection. Alternatively, if you connect to the net via satellite or cable, you'll need a separate modem that plugs into a modemless router. However you connect, your ISP will advise you on configuring the modem.

NOTEBOOKS WANT WIRELESS

Although you can connect a notebook to a LAN using either its inbuilt NIC or an Ethernet card, a wireless network ^IWIAN also called aWi-Fi network) will let you easily move the notebook around the house or of lice, or even take it outside. A wireless connection is also the best choice for any desktop located on a different floor to the main LAN mob. instead of an NIC, each PC on the WLAN needs a wireless network adapter. Most current notebooks have one built in, but if yours doesn't, then you'll need a wireless PC Card or USB adapter. Similarly, many current desktops come with inbuilt wireless capability; lacking that, the PC will need a wireless network device that plugs into a PCI expansion slot or USB port.

If you already have a wired network, the cheapest way to add a wireless segment to it is to connect a wireless access point to your router. You'll need a cable to connect the two devices, but the wireless parts don't need any additional means of connecting to the network. If you're building your network from scratch, the best option is to go for a wireless router. Note that compared to a wired link, Wi-Fi connections can be dodgy: they're affected by metal objects and solid walls or floors, and can suffer interference from nearby wireless networks, microwaves and other electronic devices. They're also vulnerable to hackers, so you need to pay particular attention to network security if you go wireless.

TALK TO YOUR R O U T E R

A major threat to any PC user today is the large number of malicious software floating around in cyberspace. They not only damage files and cause errors in the system, but also have a potential to permanently delete data from your PC. Therefore, you must scan your computer regularly in order to keep your system free from such malicious content.

Basic Step 4: Update your system with the latest releases

For a wired, wireless or combination net Nods the router needs to be able to communicate with every PC. A common way to ensure this happens is to let the router assign each PC's IP address. This process requires that the router is configured do this and that each PC is configured to have its IP address automatically assigned to it. These are the  Update. If you are a victim of this issue, you may turn off default conditions, so many people will already be using these settings.

If you're not, the details of doing this depend on both the router you're using and the version(s) of Windows on your PCs. You'll probably need the router's user guide to work your way through it. Nevertheless, a common way to enter the configuration settings is from your web browser.

1. On a PC connected to the router via a LAN cable, open your browser, type your router's IP address into the address bar (it's often 192.168.1.1; it should be specified in your manual or on the bottom of the router) and press Enter.


2. 
   ~ Enter the password (and possibly the username) specified in the manual and press Enter. After the configuration page opens, check that the router is enabled as a DHCP (Dynarnic Host Configuration Protocol) server "you'll likely need your manual again to locale this setting.
3. At this stage it's also a good idea to change the password and, if your router allows this! the username. This makes it more difficult for someone else on your network to change the router's settings, and is the first line of defense against potential hackers.
   
   If you don't have a wireless segment on your network, the above is probably the only configuration your router will need at this stage. Only if you start using applications that need direct access to the net you win need to modify the default settings on the router's inbuilt firewall.